BY KYLE MAIER, SPORTS STAFFER
The NBA season is now upon us, and with that comes way too early playoff predictions.
The Damian Lillard-less Portland Trail Blazers sit at 3-4 and 11th in the Western Conference, but that doesn’t matter.
Why?
Because by the 2023-2024 season’s conclusion, they will have secured a spot in the playoffs and home-court advantage as a top-4 seed.
This may sound blasphemous, but hear me out. The Blazers have incredible depth, a dynamic, young front court, and the recipe for an elite defense.
Coming off the summer, the team entirely reshaped their roster after trading away their longtime-superstar Damian Lillard and choosing Scoot Henderson with the second-overall pick in the draft.
Portland now has a potential starting lineup of Henderson, Anfernee Simmons (when healthy), Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton. Off their bench are Shaedon Sharpe and former Celtics Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams.
Three of those players (Ayton, Grant and Simmons) all averaged over 15 ppg last season. Brogdon is the reigning Sixth Man of the Year. Williams and Thybulle are both former all-defensive team members.
The Blazers have some of the best depth in the NBA. They will be able to run 8–10-man rotations confidently and have the pieces to try a lot of different lineups, which will lead to them winning a lot of games.
Not only will they have depth, but a dynamic young front court with two potential superstars. With Lillard gone, the team’s keys have finally been handed to Simmons, who has averaged 17+ ppg the last three seasons as the second option behind Dame.
To pair with him is Henderson, a likely first overall pick if Victor Wembanyama doesn’t exist. Henderson is 19 years old with freak athleticism and a ceiling of prime Russell Westbrook. The potential of this tandem has the sun shining a little brighter in Oregon these days.
Lastly, Portland’s defense will be a PROBLEM. As I mentioned, the Blazers have two players formerly recognized for their defensive dominance. Along with this is Deandre Ayton, who ranked 13th in the league in defensive rating last season (111.0).
Brogdon and Grant also have solid defensive prowess that will heighten the team. Rip City’s length and height will make it difficult for opposing teams to get to the rim.
The Portland Trail Blazer’s depth, young stars and defense will be the key reasons they will have home-court advantages in the playoffs in 2024.
And before you laugh in my face, come back to me in the spring to pay your respects.
maierkj22@bonaventure.edu
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